Treatment and Prevention
The first priority is to relieve pain and shorten the acute attack. NSAIDs
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as indomethacin, diclofenac,
ketoprofen, and naproxen are the mainstay of treatment. These medications help
with the swelling and pain. Another medication called colchicine can lessen
joint pain after only 12 hours and even end an attack in 36-48 hours, but may
have side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting that can limit its use in some
cases. Corticosteroids, either injected directly into the joint or taken orally,
can control the inflammation.
For chronic gout or repeated attacks, daily colchicine therapy can prevent
future attacks, but it can't prevent the joint damage caused by tophi. However,
drugs that lower the blood levels of uric acid, such as allopurinol, probenecid,
and sulfinpyrazone can be very effective at preventing attacks and joint damage.
Among these medications, allopurinol is the most commonly used. Another advantage
of these medications is that drastic changes in diet are not required.
Prevention is an important part of managing gout. It's crucial to control
weight and blood pressure and drink at least 3 litres of fluid (preferably water)
daily to prevent attacks. Triggering attacks also can be avoided by cutting
down on:
- dehydrating drinks such as alcohol (beer, wine, etc.), coffee, tea, and
cocoa
- animal proteins such as seafood, liver, kidney, heart, gizzard, sweetbreads,
meat extracts, and gravy
- vegetables such as peas, beans, spinach, and lentils
With early diagnosis and treatment, it's possible to control gout, prevent
joint damage, and live a normal life.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.